(a) Any notice required by this Article may be served
either personally by an employee of the Board or by an officer authorized by
law to serve process, or by registered or certified mail, return requested,
directed to the licensee or applicant at his or her last known address as shown
by the records of the Board. If notice is served personally, it shall be deemed
to have been served at the time when the officer or employee of the Board
delivers the notice to the person addressed or delivers the notice at the
licensee's or applicant's last known address as shown by records of the Board
with a person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein. Where
notice is served in a manner authorized by Rule 4(j) of the North Carolina
Rules of Civil Procedure, it shall be deemed to have been served on the date
borne by the return receipt showing delivery of the notice to the licensee's or
applicant's last known address as shown by the records of the Board, regardless
of whether the notice was actually received or whether the notice was unclaimed
or undeliverable for any reason.